Rare Earth Magnets

Neodymium magnets (Nd-Fe-B) are composed of neodymium, Iron, Boron and a few transition metals. Samarium Cobalt magnets (SmCo) are composed of samarium, cobalt and iron. These rare earth magnets are extremely strong for their small size, metallic in appearance and found in such simple shapes as rings, blocks and discs.

Manufacturing Rare Earth Magnets

In general, the elements are melted together and milled into a power that is dry-pressed to shape in the presence of a magnetic field. The material is then inte-red, aged, ground to dimension, magnetizem and tested. They are called "rare earth" magnets because the elements of neodymium and samarium are classified as such in the lanthanides section of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

  • Rare Earth Magnet

Neodymium

Attributes of Neodymium

  • Very high resistance to demagnetization
  • High energy for size
  • Good in ambient temperature
  • High priced
  • Material is corrosive and should be coated for long term maximum energy output
  • Low working temperature for heat applications

Application of Neodymium

Magnetic separator, linear actuators, microphone assemblies, servo motors, DC motors (automotive starters), Computer rigid disc drives, hammer bank printers, and speakers.

Samarium

Attributes of Samarium

  • High resistance to demagnetization
  • High energy (magnetic strength is strong for its size)
  • Good temperature stability
  • Expensive material (cobalt is market price sensitive

Applications of Samarium

  • Computer disc drives
  • Sensors
  • Travelling wave tubes
  • Linear actuators
  • Satellite systems
  • Motors where temporary stability is vital

Rare Earth Tolerances

For as pressed material, tolerance on the thickness (direction of magnetization) is +/- .127mm. Other Dimensions are +/- 2.5% or +/-.254mm, whichever is greater. According to Magnet Materials Producers Association (MMPA) standards, visual imperfections such as hairline cracks, porosity and minor chips are commonly found in sintered metallic magnets. A chipped edge is considered acceptable if no more than 10% of the surface is missing. Cracks are acceptable as long as they do not extend across more then 50% of of pole surface.

Rare Earth Magnetizing and Handling

Rare earth magnets are very brittle and very strong magnetically. Therefore, it is crucial to handle these magnets with extreme care to avoid personal injury and damage to the magnets. Fingers can be severely pinched between attracting magnets. Magnets can be chip if allowed to "Jump at" an attracting object. It is highly recommended that when constructing rare earth magnetic assemblies, they be magnetized after assembly.

Rare Earth Machining

Since rare earth magnet material is prone to chipping and cracking, it does not lend itself to conventional machining methods. It can, however, be abrasively ground, but only with the use of liberal amounts of coolant. The coolant minimizes heat fracturing and the risk of fires caused by oxidized grinding dust.

Rare Earth Magnet Materials Specification

Rare Earth Material Density Maximum Energy Product BH(max) Residual Induction BR Coercive Force Hc Intrinsic Coercive Force Hci Maximum Operating Temperature Curie Temperature
g/cm3 MGO Gauss Oersteds Oersteds Co Co
N-27 7.3 27.0 10800 640 11000 80 280
N-30 7.3 30.0 11000 1650 18000 80 280
N-35 6.9 35.0 12300 620 12000 80 280
N-38 7.0 38.0 7500 12000 80 280
N-40 7.4 40.0 12000 80 280
N-42 7.4 42.0 12000 80 280
N-45 7.4 45.0 12000 80 280
N-48 7.4 48.0 11000 80 280
N-50 7.4 50.0 11000 80 280
SmCo 18 8.2 18.0 8700 8000 20000 250 750
SmCo 20 8.2 20.0 9000 8500 15000 250 750
SmCo 24 8.4 24.0 10200 9200 18000 300 825
SmCo 26 8.4 26.0 10500 9000 11000 300 825
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